The year is 1847 during the time of the Irish Potato Famine. Three years old Molly is snatched from her cot whilst her family are attending a funeral. Maggie, her sister, who has left her homeland, thinks that Molly is being cared for, but the Filbey's, a local farming couple, have snatched Molly with the intention of taking her to South Australia. This book, part of a trilogy beginning with A Woman Undefeated, traces the generations throughout the years, until young Patrick Mayo, made an orphan during the war years is sent to Australia as part of the re-population scheme. He completes the family's circle by returning to Ireland after ten years in the colony.
